Enchanting Kerala & Southern India + Goa
Extend your stay in India with a relaxing week in Goa, offering a more western version of the sub-continent, where exhilarating local markets, stacked with spices and silks, teem with activity and vast sandy beaches are lapped by the Arabian Sea. Colonial churches, the streets of the capital and the temples of Ponda add local colour and are all richly rewarding. The former Portuguese colony of Goa is a treat. On the last day of your tour fly from Chennai to Goa for a seven night stay at the Alila Diwa or Cidade de Goa.
Calangute Beach
A typical houseboat on Kerala's backwaters
Mahabalipuram
Vainguinim Beach
A typical Goan market
Meenakshi Temple, Mahabalipuram
Kerala's backwaters
Goa has some magnificent beaches
Goa has many temples
Colourful Kerala costume
Kerala's lush interior
Candolim Beach
Candolim market has many bargains!
Ooty
Mysore Palace
Baga beach
A typical Goa beach stall
Mysore
Trichi Purum
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Your Itinerary
DAY 1: Depart UK.
DAY 2: Arrive Chennai.
On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This beautiful city on the Bay of Bengal, formerly known as Madras, has grown from a small fishing village into India's fourth largest metropolis. (B)
DAY 3: Chennai - Mahabalipuram.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour, visiting Fort St George, San Thome Cathedral, the National Art Gallery and the Government Museum. Next, travel to Dakshinachitra - a unique heritage centre for the living traditions of art, craft and architecture of India. Afterwards journey to Mahabalipuram, once the main port of the Pallava Kingdom and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient city showcases some of India's finest rock-cut art and architecture. (B)
DAY 4: Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram.
Today's sightseeing begins with a visit to Kanchipuram. Featuring more than a hundred shrines, the Kanchipuram sky line features a stunning cluster of temple gopurams (ornate towers marking temple entrances). The city is also famous for its silk industry, with weavers making luxurious saris following designs which are hundreds of years old. Back in Mahabalipuram visit the Five Rathas, a monolithic temple complex, each carved from a single piece of pink granite. Next you will see Arjuna's Penance - one of the largest open-air rock canvases in the world; and Krishna's Butterball, a puzzling geological wonder. Your visit to this remarkable site concludes with the Shore temple, comprising two Shiva temples and a carving of Anantasayana Vishnu. (B)
DAY 5: Mahabalipuram - Kumbakonam.
Depart this morning for Kumbakonam, a holy city renowned for its many temples, art, brassware and handloom saris, stopping for lunch enroute. This afternoon visit Darasuram, famous for its Temple of Airavateshvara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dedicated to the Lord Shiva and a well preserved example of 12th century Chola architecture. (B, L)
DAY 6: Kumbakonam - Karaikudi.
Today journey to Karaikudi, the capital of the Chettinad region - well known for its cuisine, elaborate mansions and temples. Here you will have an included lunch at the much-revered Bangala, sampling the celebrated Chettinad cuisine. Later, learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Chettiar community on a visit to a tile making centre where patterned tiles are manufactured by a unique process. Also visit a sari weaving centre, where traditional hand looms are used to weave myriad coloured threads into metres of cotton sari fabric. Tonight you will experience real old colonial charm as your overnight is at The Bangala. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: Karaikudi - Madurai.
Travel to Madurai, which at 2500 years old, is one of south India's oldest towns. Visit the Thirumalanayak Museum, before getting a glimpse of Madurai's devout religious culture on a visit to the atmospheric Meenakshi Temple at prayer time. (B)
DAY 8: Madurai - Periyar National Park.
This morning drive to Periyar with the rest of the day at leisure. High in Kerala's Western Ghats this magnificent reserve boasts wooded hills, a picturesque lake and a cool climate, creating perfect conditions for exotic wildlife, including elephants, deer, boar, kingfishers and the elusive tiger, of which there are thought to be around 40 living in the park. (B)
DAY 9: Periyar National Park.
Visit a spice plantation, where you will learn more about the pepper and cardamom which famously grows in this area, as well as a host of other spices. The afternoon is yours to further explore Periyar. You may wish to walk through the lush green forest and search for wildlife or take a boat ride on Periyar Lake. Thekkady town is a short walk from your hotel and is brimming with locally run spice shops. In the evening, watch a thrilling Kalari Payatyu (local martial arts performance).
DAY 10: Periyar National Park - Kumarakom. Backwater Houseboat cruise.
Head to Kumarakom this morning and board your houseboat for a cruise along the still backwaters. You'll pass a mosaic of palm plantations and local people swimming and washing their laundry on the riverbanks, giving you an enthralling insight into hidden Kerala. Overnight stay on Lake Vembanad.
DAY 11: Backwater Houseboat cruise - Kochi.
Say goodbye to your houseboat this morning at Alleppey and drive to Kochi (Cochin), a hugely important spice trading port since the 14th century, and now a cosmopolitan business centre. This afternoon, see the city's Portuguese-built Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue and St Francis Church, which holds the palm-leafed title deed that the Raja handed to the occupying Portuguese in 1503. Also, marvel at the intricate beauty and rhythm of Kochi's legendary Chinese Fishing Nets, unique to this part of Kerala. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular show of Keralan classic dance. (B)
DAY 12: Kochi - Ooty.
This morning we head to Ooty. Known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', Ooty nestles in the slopes of the picturesque Nilgiri mountains and is encircled by lush vegetation and sweeping valleys. (B)
DAY 13: Ooty.
Today, board a miniature, narrow gauge 'toy train' for a wonderfully evocative journey meandering through green hills to Connoor, returning by road. This afternoon, soak up the delights of Ooty's famous Botanical Gardens with their exotic flora and fauna, and the 20 million year old fossilised tree trunk. Also visit the St Stephen Church. (B)
DAY 14: Ooty - Mysore.
This morning, drive to Mysore. Charming and peaceful, this historic town has hardly been touched by modernity and overflows with magnificent palaces, decorative gardens and sacred temples. This afternoon’s sightseeing takes you on a drive past Mysore’s colonial buildings to the stunning Mysore Palace. The former residence of the Wodeyar rulers, the palace is a fine example of the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. From there travel to Chamundi Hill, the site of a summer palace complex housing an ancient temple and the Nandi, a giant depiction of a sacred bull carved from a single boulder. (B)
DAY 15: Mysore - Bengaluru.
Today brings a visit to Srirangapatnam, a fortress built on a long island on the Cauvery River. Inside the fortress walls, visit the mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, the legendary 18th century ruler. In the afternoon, travel to Bengaluru for an overnight stay. (B)
DAY 16: Chennai - Goa
After breakfast, transfer to Chennai Airport for your flight to Goa. (B)
DAY 17 to 22: Goa.
Spend a week relaxing in the beautiful resort of Goa. Experience colonial churches, the streets of the capital and the templease of Ponda; and visit exhilarating local markets, stacked with spices and silks.
DAY 23: Goa - UK.
Today you will be taken to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Cidade de Goa
A Cidade de Goa bedroom
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Cidade de Goa
An extremely well-equipped hotel built in an appealing Portuguese colonial-style. The hotel stands in tropical gardens just a few steps from the beach and the focal point of the complex is the free-form pool and its expansive terrace.
Location: On Vainguinim Beach peninsula in Central Goa, 8km from the state capital Panjim and 1.6km from Dona Paula.
Facilities: 2 swimming pools with free sunbeds; 4 restaurants including buffet-style air-conditioned or open-air, Barbecue, Goan-Portuguese; pool bar; coffee shop; open-air lobby bar; shop; Ayurveda massage; Swedish massage; hairdresser; jacuzzi; steam bath; free sauna; table tennis; chess; badminton; tennis court; watersports from beach; gym; regular daytime and nightly evening entertainment including theme nights; live music; casino; minibar in bedroom.
Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room with private facilities; TV; tea/coffee-maker; hairdryer; air-conditioning; balcony or terrace.
Options: All inclusive; single room.
Official category: 5 star.
All Inclusive Option
Meals: Full board including buffet breakfast and buffet or à la carte lunch and dinner (excluding king/tiger prawns and lobster). Snacks from 11am-5pm.
Drinks: House spirits, beers, wines, cocktails, soft drinks and juices from midday-midnight. All drinks served by the glass. Mineral water in room.
Activities: Daytime tennis, gym, badminton, table tennis, beach volleyball. Sauna, one 15 minute massage per person per week. One manicure, pedicure or head or back massage per person per stay.
Entertainment: Management cocktails once per stay. One gala theme evening per person per week.
Enchanting Kerala & Southern India + Goa 21 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the calendar.
Enchanting Kerala & Southern India + Goa 22 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the grid.
| Earlier Dates | Date | Depart From | Price from PP | Later Dates | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 2012 | London Heathrow |
Departure Times
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Enchanting Kerala & Southern India + Goa
Price from £2455.00
Holiday Highlights
- Chennai City tour including Dakshinachitra
- Mahabalipuram Five Rathas
- Madurai Meenakshi Temple
- Periyar National Park
- Backwater Houseboat Cruise
- Kochi City tour
- Ooty Toy train ride, Botanical Gardens
Departures from
- London Heathrow
Departures between
23 Nov 2012 to 22 Mar 2013
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme
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